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About Vartio
About this game
A short psychological horror experience from the creators of Kaamos.
Vartio (Finnish for “Patrol”) drops you into the boots of a medieval guardsman assigned to a solitary night watch. Your duty: patrol the shadowy forests surrounding a remote watchtower and report back to your commander. But something is wrong out there. And it’s getting closer.
Patrol the darkness
Step out into the cold woods under cover of night. As a lone sentry on the empire’s edge, your torch is dim, and your instincts are all you can trust.
Paranoia made real
Rely on your ears more than your eyes. Every rustle in the brush, every creak of a branch may spell danger. Are those footsteps? Or just the wind?
Something is watching
The deeper into the forest you go, the more uncertain reality becomes. Blood trails. Whispers. Was that a raider—or something worse?
- A compact, focused psychological horror experience (~20 minutes).
- Immersive 3D pixel art with a dark retro aesthetic.
- Rich atmospheric sound design crafted to heighten tension.
- Standalone story set in the same unsettling world as Kaamos.
You’re not the only one walking these woods tonight.
Game Details
- Platform:
- steam
- Release Date:
- August 12, 2025
- Developer:
- Pepperbox Studios
- Publisher:
- indie.io
- Supported Languages:
- English
- Themes:
- Supernatural
Psychological
Psychological Horror
Pixel Graphics
Dark
Dark Fantasy
Horror
Investigation
Thriller
Lovecraftian
Minimalist
Atmospheric
Mystery
- Play Styles:
- First-Person
Linear
PvE
Singleplayer
- Features:
- Singleplayer
Family sharing
Product Requirements
Minimum:
- OS: Windows 10
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 11
Frequently Asked Questions
- All functionality is accessible when using the default controller configuration
- This game shows Steam Deck controller icons
- In-game interface text is legible on Steam Deck
- This game's default graphics configuration performs well on Steam Deck
- OS: Windows 10
- OS: Windows 11
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